News

Service For Barnsley Locals Sleeping Rough

Monday January 7 2013

RESIDENTS are being encouraged to use a new reporting service if they spot any people sleeping rough in the borough.

The StreetLink service offers advice to the homeless on available services and help.

It comes after research revealed that Barnsley Council had 1,600 approaches from people saying they were homeless in the last three years - almost three quarters of these were single people.

Council spokesman Coun Jenny Platts, said: “Thankfully, there are only a small number of rough sleepers in the borough but the longer someone sleeps rough the greater the risk they will become trapped on the streets and vulnerable to becoming a victim of crime, drug or alcohol problems, or experience problems with their health.

"It is vital that members of the public play their part by contacting the StreetLink service if they see anyone sleeping rough.”

To use StreetLink call 0300 500 0914, or visit the website: www.streetlink.org.uk